Study Says 50% Of Teenage Moms Don't Go Back To School After Giving Birth

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) and The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy have found that the main reason why teenage girls drop out from school is because of unexpected pregnancies. Though birthrates have declined over the past years, studies show that one out of 10 pregnant women is a teenager. These are young women aged between 13 to 19.

Half Of Teens Don't Go Back To School

According to Social Work Today, only about 50 percent of these teenage mothers have graduated from high school. The news alone of having teenage pregnancies is alarming, much more to learn that many of these new moms are not able to continue their studies after giving birth. Preventive programs for unwanted pregnancies are active, yet it does not totally diminish teenage pregnancy cases.

Teenage motherhood is already a challenge itself to these young and new parents, denying them of their rights to education would just make their lives harder. In addition to that, SEDL.org cited some studies where majority of them indicated that new teenage mothers have a higher drive to finish school and even attain a better future for themselves and their child.

Juggling School And Motherhood

These young women are not just experiencing life-changing moments and adjusting to new challenges -- they will have to learn how to juggle the struggles of their teenage lives and school demands as well. Whether these teenage mothers continue schooling during the pregnancy or return to school after birth, support from loved ones and the school is extremely important.

Sage Journals shared that teen mothers have mostly reevaluated their educational goals during and after the pregnancy, giving them a higher inclination towards school success. Most of them now dream for a brighter future for themselves and their babies.

Providing Support

If these girls may have failed to complete education prior to pregnancy, then it is crucial for them to get back on track if they've dropped out of school. Very few of these teenage mothers would continue schooling while gestating, so hopefully they could be assisted once they return to school.

Some people may view the young and unplanned pregnancy as a mistake, but not providing with enough support to survive schooling during or after the pregnancy is a worse mistake. If some still see teenage motherhood as a blunder, then it is best to help these young moms correct that error by finishing school and getting a second chance for a diploma.